The Issue
Barely 9 % of Americans read books - and the percentage that read books other than Harry Potter is even smaller. How can you inspire more people to read? Publishers know that theirs is a low margin business and they are faced with the constant challenge of how to entice avid readers, and more importantly, how to attract new ones. How do you interest the "YouTube generation" in books?

Traditional marketing of books can increase readership, however the challenge for non-fiction in particular lies in its narrow target audience. How can books on inaccessible topics, written in convoluted and difficult language be disseminated to a large audience? How do you market political, historical and autobiographical books to non-readers? What's the best way to bridge books with the digital reality most of the developed world lives in?

The Solution
Books need short films, that we call ‘Micro Docs' to create buzz, and to help simplify their content into an easily digestible format. Micro Docs allow broader distribution of content, reaching diverse audiences on TV, the internet, the big screen, and on cell phones. Micro Docs can help sell more books.

Publishers can utilize Micro Docs to promote the author, the publishing house, the editor, and create interest in the genre. They can market their books by making the Micro Docs available on YouTube, FaceBook, and on the publisher's and author's websites. Micro Doc bundles can also be licensed to cellular providers and accessed for free on cellphones.

On Amazon, clicking on a Micro Doc would further engage a book-buying audience. Currently on FaceBook, users can add the 'Visual Bookshelf' to their profiles. A link to a Micro Doc would allow friends to watch which books they are reading. Micro Docs as trailers give a brief and entertaining synopsis of the book, while Micro-Docs up to 20 minutes in length include engaging interviews with authors, publishers, editors and characters, together with an overview of the story. Micro Docs also stand on their own as works of art, and can be entered into various film festivals and competitions, thus providing a further distribution channel.

Case Study
Based on Naomi Klein's new book "The Shock Doctrine", a short film was produced that can be viewed on YouTube and on the book's promo website. This film is an interesting example of how the ideas in a book, on an inaccessible topic such as political economy, can be disseminated to a huge audience, increasing awareness and sales. Directed by the author and renowned filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men), the film was also an official selection to the Toronto and Venice Film Festivals.

Who We Are
William Goins and the Go Show Entertainment team specialize in Micro Docs for publishers because we believe that books change and improve lives. We want to spread the passion for reading and we intend to do our part to increase literacy, and engage our youth in an imaginative and mindful way. We know that the marketing dollars are limited and as such, we are experts at high production value, and quick turnaround.